The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), through the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT), has awarded N70.5 million in grants to six female engineers as part of its initiative to promote gender equity in the engineering sector.
NASENI’s Director of Information, Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, announced the funding in a statement on Wednesday. The grants are part of the Developing Engineering Leaders Through Her (DELT-Her) project, a crucial component of NASENI’s Delta-2 program aimed at empowering women in engineering.
Among the grant recipients, Amina Khaleel received N17.5 million for developing a drone for intelligent real-time security and target tracking. Kudirat Jimoh secured N16.5 million for her electronic training board/device designed for science and engineering students. Ikechukwu Francisca was awarded N8.5 million for her automatic bambara flour processing machine, while Abisola Olayiwola received N15 million for creating a solar-powered snail shelling machine. The distribution of funds reflects NASENI’s commitment to supporting innovative solutions that contribute to Nigeria’s technological landscape.
The DELT-Her initiative, launched in March 2024, seeks to address gender imbalances in engineering practices and enterprise development by directing attention and funding towards young women. The Executive Vice-Chairman of NASENI emphasized the importance of raising public awareness about the need for more women in engineering, highlighting that women should ideally represent half of all professionals in the country.
Currently, however, the situation is starkly different. While the global average for female representation in engineering stands at 28%, Nigeria lags significantly behind, with only 5% of engineers being women—amounting to just one in every 20 engineers. This significant underrepresentation underscores the necessity for initiatives like DELT-Her, which aims to foster a more inclusive engineering community by training and mentoring more women to enter the profession.
In the context of Nigeria’s economic landscape, the involvement of women in engineering and technology is vital for driving innovation and development. By investing in female engineers, NASENI not only contributes to individual empowerment but also to national growth. The DELT-Her project aims to equip women with the skills and resources needed to excel in their fields, thus addressing the broader issue of gender inequality in the workforce.
Industry experts have welcomed the initiative, noting that empowering women in engineering can lead to diverse perspectives and solutions that benefit the entire sector. This approach aligns with global trends advocating for greater inclusivity in traditionally male-dominated fields, reinforcing the idea that diverse teams drive better outcomes.
As Nigeria strives to enhance its technological capabilities and foster economic growth, initiatives like DELT-Her represent a crucial step toward building a more equitable and innovative future. By supporting female engineers, NASENI is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive environment that encourages the next generation of women to pursue careers in engineering and technology, ultimately transforming the industry for the better.
